A's bullpen outlook takes a turn as Ferguson optioned
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MESA, Ariz. -- Athletics manager Mark Kotsay knew at the start of Spring Training that some difficult decisions were coming down the pipe regarding his bullpen, and one of those took place on Friday.
Ahead of a 6-2 win over the Cubs at Hohokam Stadium, the A's optioned right-hander Tyler Ferguson and infielder Zack Gelof to Triple-A Las Vegas, trimming its group of players left in camp to 32.
More cuts will have to come before the A’s leave Arizona on Monday and head to Toronto, where they’ll open up the regular season against the Blue Jays on March 27, but Friday’s discussion with Ferguson was a particularly heavy one for Kotsay.
"It’s never an easy conversation, especially with someone that I care about a lot,” Kotsay said. “Not that I don’t care about everybody down there, but Fergie over the last few years has picked the ball up and thrown when I’ve asked and picked up the bullpen when we needed him to.
"We talked about the roster and the construction and how we start isn’t going to be how we finish. That’s part of the conversation as well. I know he’ll go down there and perform and be prepared when we ask him to come back and pitch.”
Ferguson was a workhorse for the A’s last season, appearing in 56 games and posting a 4.66 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 34 walks across 58 innings. This spring, the 32-year-old righty made six appearances and allowed four runs on nine hits with six strikeouts in six innings.
Ferguson’s somewhat surprising departure brings some clarity to the A’s bullpen picture, though it’s still going to be a few more days before they decide which eight relievers to carry into the season.
Here’s a look at that situation:
The locks
The A’s are not going to name a closer to begin the season, instead opting to go closer by committee. It’s an approach that worked well last year. After trading All-Star closer Mason Miller to the Padres for a prospect package headlined by Leo De Vries at the 2025 Trade Deadline, the A’s finished with a record of 28-23 from Aug. 1 to the end of the season. Over that stretch, their bullpen posted a 2.99 ERA, the second-lowest mark in the Majors during that span behind only Cleveland’s 2.93.
Among the relievers that were part of that successful run who are returning and expected to be on the Opening Day roster are Hogan Harris, Elvis Alvarado, Michael Kelly and Justin Sterner. Newcomers Scott Barlow and Mark Leiter Jr. will join that group as experienced arms that will fit into Kotsay’s late-inning formula.
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The Medina Unknown
Back after missing nearly two years due to Tommy John surgery, Luis Medina has looked healthy throughout spring and is showing off a fastball topping out at 100 mph as the A’s get a look at him in a relief role. Even with some shaky command at times, Medina, who is out of Minor League options, is making a strong case to land a bullpen spot on the A’s Opening Day roster.
"It looks like he’s gotten better as each outing goes on,” Kotsay said. “The first outing was very slow in terms of timing and rhythm and cadence. Last outing was a lot better. I think the further we get into this and the more times he touches the mound, the better he’s going to perform.”
Final spot contenders
Assuming Medina makes the roster, four other pitchers still in camp are vying for likely one open bullpen spot. Non-roster invitees Nick Anderson and Joel Kuhnel have both made a case with strong springs. Over the past week, J.T. Ginn and Jack Perkins, both of whom were members of the A’s starting rotation and bullpen at times in 2025, have shifted to relief appearances in spring games and are being looked at as relievers through the end of camp.
"There’s still enough guys down there that are in the mix for that last spot,” Kotsay said. “It’s never easy. It’s never fun, especially when you’re leaving to go on the road straight from here to make those decisions. Guys are preparing themselves to be in Toronto, which they should. Unfortunately, everyone can’t go.”